Daimler to raise Chennai unit capacity to 36k units in 2014

AHMEDABAD: Merc-maker's Indian subsidiary, the Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV), will kick-start the next phase of capacity expansion of 36,000 units in its Chennai plant in 2014.

Despite a meager 3% growth of the Indian commercial vehicle market last fiscal, DICV is banking on infrastructure, consumer durables and automobiles sector to push sales of its 9 to 49 tonne trucks. DICV expects to grab a 20% market share in the Indian CV market by 2020, Sreeram Venkateswaran, assistant VP (marketing and sales), DICV said.

The CVs from the Daimler stable will be launched in September 2012. DICV will sell 2500 units in 2012 calendar, he added. Daimler will play in the arena that has players like Tata Motors, Ashok Leyland, Eicher Motors Ltd, et al.

Daimler says it will try to increase the life of the fleet and hence, minimize the burden on truck owners through its range that is high on functionality, comfort and safety.

"Big fleet owners in India are known to replace part of their fleet once in four years. DICV range would be less maintenance and hence, not burdensome for truck owners," he said.

The company has invested Rs 4,400 crore in India and expects its Chennai plant to run full steam by 2014. By 2013, we would use 55% of our current 36,000 capacity and once the plant runs full steam, the second phase of capacity expansion would begin, he said.